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At a lose!

Q

queenbee

Member
Messages
13
Don't really know what to put suppose I just need to get all my feelings out in the open! My last HBA1C was 7.4 back in February,I'd like to get another one done to see if I've managed to improve it at all but my doctor is away on a 3 month sabatical! My Mum does all the talking for me as I have aspergers syndrome and when she spoke to my doctor he said he'd leave a msg for the nurse to arrange doing it via a finger prick sample which is how I had it done last time but when my Mum rang the nurse she said they were happy enough with my last result and won't even consider it until my doctor is back! So I'm left in limbo until September! I was considering having one done privately but as I'm not working can't really afford to! To make matters worse I've been getting strips on repeat prescription without any problems but now this nurse doesn't want me to have them,to be honest I think she's going to make it impossible for me to get any! I'm going away on holiday for two weeks at the beginning of August and wanted all my prescriptions sorted ready so sent her a letter with the request and she hasn't put any out! My blood sugar levels have been a bit higher over the last week or so but I've put that down to the fact I've got my monthly friend and the really worrying news that my Grandad has lung cancer! He's having tests this week and next to see if it's spread! I'm really crossing my fingers that'll he'll be ok! So as you can tell I'm just ranting but this whole situation has left me feeling very anxious and alone! Don't know what to do to rectify this? Any help appreciated! Thanks for reading this!
 
Hi QB.

First of all, if you want to get a rough idea of what your HbA1c is likely to be use this converter. Just enter your 30 day average reading from your meter and it will give a rough idea as to what your HbA1c number will likely be. Put your mind at rest.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/hba1c-to-bloo ... erter.html

Secondly, is there another GP you can see at your Practice ? Your Nurse sounds very 'old school' and really not patient friendly. Some of them are very touchy about patients trying to remain in control. Don't stand for it. You need to see a Dr rather then her. Don't be afraid of voicing an opinion that doesn't fit in with what they think you should be doing. It is your Diabetes which you want to control.
You should be able to get all your prescription requirements for holidays sorted to suit you, mind you there is a rule that you shouldn't get more than 3 months worth of meds up front. However I know that this can be varied if the GP thinks it is a good idea. Mine does when I go away for an extended stay. Talk to the GP. Don't take no for an answer either.

Hope your Grandad will be Ok. It must be difficult to try and 'chill' at this time but remember to give yourself some 'me' time. Switch off from the worries and stresses. Pamper yourself. Things will get better I'm sure.

Ken.
 
Hi
Firstly welcome to the forum! I can see that you say your mum does the talking, if your test sticks are on repeat there is no reason why you can't have them! Get your mum to make a appointment with another doctor and go and ask for some test strips!
your blood sugars would normally go up in times of stress and it sounds as if you are stressed i can fully understand that you are worried about your granddad!
Are you type 1 or type 2 diabetic?
I am type 2 and my doctor and diabeties nurse always does my test sticks no problem! i just have to ask!
As for the blood test you need your mum to ask another doctor about this! i would seek help from another doctor to me it sounds lik the nurse is being a royal pain by stopping things!
You need your test sticks with all that is going off! I hope that you are okay!
You can come on here and express your feelings and tension! we are here to listen and offer you support! We work together on here! if we can offer support then we do!
Sandy
 
Thanks Ken and Sandy,looking at the converter link you gave me Ken my HBA1C would be near the 6 mark but I've tested at various times and could very easily have missed a spike! Guess I'll just have to wait until my doctor is back and hope he's a bit more helpful! He's back in September so it's only a couple of months to wait! My Mum is going to try and talk to another doctor next week see if they will organise one before we go on holiday but don't hold out much hope! I'm testing regulary so just carry on doing what I'm doing,my Mum is understandable very worried about her Dad and his cancer so all our time is spent in hoping for the best! We find out if the cancer has spread on Thursday so at least we know what we're dealing with!

Sandy I'm type 2 diagnosed 11 September 08 always call it my 911 not taking any medication and hope to continue diet only as I dread talking any pills! I hope things are looking up for you after you're rough ride? We're going on holiday on the 1st August for 2 weeks staying in this country so I'm hoping for a relaxing time.and hopefully some sun if we're lucky!

My Mum has managed to get the test strips on prescription so at least that's one worry for the mean time although think the doctors are going to try and get me to use urine strips which as we all know are not much good! Anyway catch up soon,take care all!
 
queenbee, you need to consider an advocate, not just your mum when you talk to the medics you rely on for your care.

Writing it down in a letter is good, but in my experience, many people put too much of the wrong information in to a letter and not enough of the right information. You need to keep it short, say what you want to happen and remind them that your other GP was happy with the prescriptions you requested.

This is your health and it is good to have aplan you are happy with. You are a relatively newly diagnosied diabetic and I think the NICE guidelines say you should be monitored on a 3 monthly basis until you have estabished good enough control. You can ask for the kind of care that you want - this will keep your anxieties to a minimum, the feedback will keep you motivated and help you to monitor your success and do any tweeking necessary

We didn't discuss my ongoing care at his last diabetic clinic in May, so I will be seeing my GP at the end of August. I will be asking for a 3 monthly HbA1c until I have sustained good control, to me that means hitting my targets and maintaining them for at least 6 months. There will be other tests too - including cholesterol and if I were to take metformin I'd ask for a B12 test as that affects absorbtion and I'm a vegetarian so B12 may be an issue. I'd also want it established how many test strips I will get each month. I would expect to share the blood self-test results with him so we could make plans for my care together.
 
I am glad to hear that your mum got you some test sticks! I am type 2 luckly my doctor and my diabetic nurse are excellant and stand behind me 100% they make sure i have plenty of sticks!
I have managed to get my test down alot! I have a clinic on monday must admit not looking forward to that as blood sugars have been high this month!
I am glad that you are going to relax on your holiday! We all sometimes need a bit of relax time and time out!
As you can see spiral mentions a advoctae, this might be a good idea as then it would remove some of the pressure of your mum! I am sure that your mum would walk to the ends of the earth for you!
I hope that the weather stays nice for your holiday and that you enjoy yourself!
Sandy
 
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